Love is local.

How TOLI's "for local, by local" model is making an impact — for vulnerable communities and the ministries that serve them

It was no easy feat, gathering 50 women together, pulling them from work and kids on a Monday morning. For some, it was the first time to ever leave their village.

Our partners in Upper Egypt had dreamed of a spiritual retreat for their TOLI microloan clients for a long time — a day of worship, encouragement, food, and fun. And earlier this month, they made it happen. The women arrived in minibusses in small groups, a little shy and sticking close to the few people they knew. But by day’s end, the courtyard echoed with laughter as they crowded close, playing games and cracking jokes in the afternoon sun. Joy.

More than 50 women, all of whom have built a small business through TOLI's microloan program, gathered in El Minya, Egypt, for a special day of worship, teaching, and encouragement.

Keeping it local

We like to say that TOLI is designed to be ‘for local, by local.’ And this retreat illustrates that perfectly. It is our local ministry partners, like these churches in Upper Egypt, who have the true vision for serving their own people. They invest the time, energy, and prayer to usher in transformation in their neighborhoods through TOLI's microloan program. “TOLI,” as an organization, is just privileged to get a front-row seat.

Everywhere we work, we partner with local organizations — churches or Christ-centered ministries — already at work in the community. That’s because we believe truly lasting solutions are homegrown. These local ministries adopt the TOLI program to be one more tool in their toolbox to effectively reach the people God has called them to serve. A local committee of volunteer leaders oversees operations. And TOLI social workers are native to the community being served. The potential impact of a TOLI microloan program in their area is as big as they dare to dream for it.

Transforming communities

We tell a lot of stories here about individual client successes. But TOLI’s impact is community-wide — and even beyond.

The five churches that brought TOLI clients together for this retreat may be miles apart, with their own unique challenges. But they share at least one thing: a commitment to restoring the God-given dignity of every person. And together they’re finding new, creative, and God-glorifying ways to fulfill it. 

Women worshipped together and enjoyed a special meal.

---

Your support helps TOLI provide our program to more local ministries who are impacting their communities for Christ.

---

What did 2020 mean for TOLI? Check out our Annual Report.

You won't want to miss the amazing story of Faith, one incredible client whose journey this year illustrates how God is using TOLI to transform lives ... even in the year of COVID.

---

---

Help us spread the word so we can bring microloans and hope to more families — LIKE and SHARE TOLI with your friends on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn:

---

Let's Change the Story.

End this year with an investment in hope.

In this year of difficult stories, let me share a hopeful one.

Tereza lives in a part of Cairo marked by crumbling buildings and crushing poverty. But poverty is not how this story ends. Just before COVID, this young mom took a brave first step toward a new life: She took a TOLI microloan to buy a sewing machine and supplies, worth about $300. And then she got to work.

In just eight months, Tereza doubled her household income, paid off her loan, and invested in a second sewing machine. Tereza now employs two people and rents a commercial space instead of working out of her flat. And when her husband lost his job earlier this year, her income kept their family stable.

Tereza took many bold steps to achieve success. But, do you know what her first step was? To give it away.

She gave the profits from her first sales to the church to thank God for his provision. She attributes the blessings of the past year to his love and faithfulness. And she prays for her next steps: To hire more employees and open a factory to produce her kids clothing designs.

Tereza shows TOLI Program Associate, Katie Haar, her new workshop.

Like Tereza, we’re also grateful for God’s provision in this year of unprecedented challenges. Because of his faithfulness — and yours — TOLI provided help and hope in new ways this year:

> Supplying emergency food aid to 3,368 people and distributing 6,000 free face masks sewn by clients to TOLI communities through our COVID-19 Relief Initiative
> Adding 3 new TOLI sites in Egypt
> Providing Bibles to 600+ clients, as well as creating a digital, multilingual spiritual discipleship library for field staff
> Translating and implementing our new TOLI Business Basics Course in 3 languages (Arabic, Spanish, and Amharic)

In a year marked by loss and fear, people like Tereza have taught us about hope, generosity, and courage.

What better way to change the story of 2020 than by investing in more people like her? Please consider making TOLI part of your year-end giving plans.

The story you change just might be your own.

Abigail McConnell
Executive Director, TOLI

---

---

TOLI's microloan program provides DIGNIFIED, SUSTAINABLE, CHRIST-CENTERED TRANSFORMATION through our simple but powerful "cycle of hope."

---

Inspired? Go deeper with us in the new year.

> PRAY with us. Join our TOLI Tuesday Prayer Gatherings via Zoom, (second Tuesdays from 12-1pm MST), which regularly feature guests from TOLI sites around the world. Join the Prayer Team here to get prayer reminders straight in your inbox.

> SAVE the DATE. We can't wait to gather again to share stories and grow support for the work God is doing through TOLI. Mark Thursday, September 23, 2021, in your calendar for our next Big Event.

> Become a MONTHLY INVESTOR! Our plans for 2021 are ambitious! By giving an automatic, monthly gift, you'll help fuel TOLI's work in a powerful way. Click here to sign up online — just click "Monthly" when prompted. 

---

Help us spread the word so we can bring microloans and hope to more families — LIKE and SHARE TOLI with your friends on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn:

A visual tour of TOLI in Egypt

Our partners in Egypt are working hard to provide business training, microloans, and spiritual support to vulnerable families in neighborhoods from Cairo to Assiut. Here is a glimpse of our latest developments in Egypt …

---

---

TOLI’s BUSINESS COURSE equips new entrepreneurs of all abilities and backgrounds. Topics include: setting goals, identifying your skills, overcoming obstacles, marketing, pricing, customer service, record keeping, budgeting, saving, ethics, leadership, and more. Below are images from a recent training in for a class of 21 future TOLI clients in upper Egypt:

---

THREE NEW COMMUNITIES in Egypt are now part of the TOLI program. The first round of microloans are being granted right now to vulnerable families who are dreaming for a brighter future. Please pray for them, and pray for our new social workers, who serve as mentors, trainers, loan officers and program administrators. Pictured here is Saeed (last slide), who serves the areas of Manshiet Nasser and Garbage Village in Cairo:

---

FIELD STAFF RETREAT: This fall we brought together 22 Egyptian TOLI leaders — social workers, church staff, and key leader — from around the country for two days of training, leadership development, and worship. These field staffers are true heroes, pouring into the lives of clients and their families day after day. And we are so grateful to our strategic partner Heliopolis Evangelical Church in Cairo, which plays an integral role in TOLI’s implementation, growth, and effectiveness throughout Egypt — and beyond.

This retreat was a TOLI first, but definitely not the last! A few images from our two days…

---

Want to support our Egypt program?

---